Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Kathy Grimes, Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition Executive Director, left, and Marge Schade, CEO of Southeastern Bottling, prepare to cut the ribbon for the House of Hope Prevention & Resource Center at its grand opening in 2021. Grimes and the Coalition are building a sister structure adjacent to the men’s facility for women and were approved for $160,000 in opioid settlement funds from Graham County for use toward the facility.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The Graham County Board of Supervisors is using some of its funds from a national opioid lawsuit settlement to help those battling drug and/or alcohol addiction.
On Monday, the Graham County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the use of $160,000 in funds from the National Opioid Settlement to assist the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition with a new women’s sober living facility. Chairman John Howard recused himself from the discussion and vote.
Graham County Attorney L. Scott Bennett addressed the board and advised that it had already previously approved the funding during its September meeting. Bennett said the final contract was now complete and so he was bringing it to the board for final approval.
“These funds were given to us after a settlement involving lawsuits over the overprescribing of opioids and they were given to us for the limited purpose of helping with rehab and drug interdiction programs,” Bennett said. “Ultimately, this particular cause is the exact purpose of these funds. They are coming from private institutions. There’s no taxpayer money. This is purely the benefits of a lawsuit that was settled and we’re using the funds as they were designated.”
The Marge Schade House of Hope Sober Living Facility is located on 1st Street just east of 8th Avenue. It is a 4,000-square-foot, 14-bed facility that serves men transitioning from rehab back into the community. The Caring Hearts Sober Living Facility will be constructed adjacent to the men’s facility and will provide the same service for women. The house is a transition facility for those addicted to drugs or alcohol who are returning from a stay at a rehabilitation center. Clients who live at the home are expected to stay about six to nine months, follow strict house rules, and must have employment
Ground was broken on the new women’s facility in December 2023. Construction is being overseen by Ron Cox Builders.
In addition to the funding from Graham County through the opioid settlement, the Caring Hearts Sober Living Facility has also secured $200,000 each from both the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties and the Freeport McMoRan Community Investment Fund, as well as an additional $100,000 from Arizona Complete Health.
